Recreational Therapist salary in Connecticut
Recreational Therapists in Connecticut earn a median of $63,240 a year ($30.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,650 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $61,960. Connecticut ranks 13th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.22 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| 25th percentile | $51,190 | $24.61 |
| Median | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| 75th percentile | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,650 | $48.87 |
| Average (mean) | $68,280 | $32.83 |
Half of recreational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,270 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,635 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,432.31 |
| Weekly | $1,216.15 |
| Hourly | $30.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | $66,740 | 60 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $63,950 | 170 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $59,340 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,170 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 |
| Nevada | $78,730 |
| Washington | $77,860 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 |
| Colorado | $66,580 |
| Oregon | $66,530 |
| New York | $65,520 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 |
Related jobs in Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,740 | $49.39 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,990 | $103.36 |
| Physical Therapist | $104,360 | $50.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,470 | $66.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,860 | $67.24 |
| Pharmacist | $141,290 | $67.93 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,690 | $48.41 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,110 | $48.13 |
| Dentists, General | $160,440 | $77.13 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Pediatricians, General | $216,830 | $104.25 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $208,000 | $100.00 |
| Veterinarian | $126,190 | $60.67 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1125. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make in Connecticut?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Connecticut is $63,240 a year, or $30.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Connecticut earn at least $101,650 a year. The top 25% earn $81,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,350 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $51,190 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Connecticut?
About 380 recreational therapists are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.